“Llwybr Marc: Bywyd Trwy Lefydd” (Marc’s Path: A Life Through Places)
I think it’s fair to say that this is the painting I’m most proud of. For the “Gem Goffa Marc Beasley” at Crymych Rugby Club I was asked if I wanted to donate a print for the auction. But I felt a print wasn’t enough. With three days to go, I offered to paint a new piece for the occasion. I had in my mind that I wanted to create a type of collage of the things that made Marc the person he was. Over three days the painting took me around 30 hours to create.
Here's some background to the elements in the painting:
- Some of the places he loves, grew up and called home – Henllan Amgoed, Porthyrhyd, Narberth and Crymych.
- Principality Stadium where he loved going to see matches with his family.
- Some of his favourite race – Wildflower Duathlon in the Botanic Gardens, Preseli Beast, Marathon Eryri and Ras Yr Wyddfa and of course IronMan Wales.
- Tug of War. Cycling with the Dynamos. Running with the NBLRs. Swimming in the sea and in the swimming pool in Crymych.
- Playing rugby in Crymych.
- The “Beasley” plaque with pride of place in his living room. I think this is my favourite part of the painting. And of course, there’s a pint!
- Foel Drygarn.
- And finally, a little Seren, the dog, running in the fields.
I was so anxious at the auction waiting for the painting to come up and worried it wouldn’t raise a lot of money. But to my amazement it went for £1400 and then was kindly donated to Marc’s family. All money raised on the day has gone to fund heart screening for the players.
